Time flies...so did I

Last month I got to visit my family and friends in Oregon! I was able to go on the same flight as my sister and brother-in-law who live in Philadelphia. It was so nice to travel with them. Our visit was wonderful and chock full of catching up with friends and extended family, our first immediate family reunion in gorgeous Sunriver, recording a few songs on a cd with my siblings, singing at our church, and being active in the great Oregon outdoors! I thoroughly enjoyed the time there, but at the same time looked forward to coming back to NY. My time here so far has been amazing in many ways. I've struggled with being away from home, family, and friends, but know God wants me here. He clearly opened the doors for me to come and continues to confirm that being here is His will for me. I'm so thankful for that and recognizing it gives me peace in moments of stress, homesickness, and frustration. I originally committed to my job for 6 months, but recently committed to another 6, ending in March 2012. I get to see all 4 seasons here!

To follow-up on my second to last post, I occasionally use shampoo, still use vinegar to clean, made it through the softball season without serious injury and with lots of good memories, and am happy to report I haven't had any more run-ins with forest rangers! 

Sadly, I wasn't able to finish P90X. In my second to last week of the 90 days I hurt my hamstring playing a group game. I rested it for a week and it didn't feel much better, so I got it checked out by the massage therapist I mentioned previously. She was most helpful, gave me the advice I needed to rehab it, and told me what activities to avoid during the healing process. It's been hard to restrain myself from going on a run, but I've held off, knowing that resting it now means I'll most likely to be able to return to it when it heals. I'd really like it to be completely healed so I can be active the rest of my life, instead of pushing it now and reaping the consequences later. I'm going back to the therapist soon, to see if it's healed!

I'm so thankful for my church. I've started singing on the praise team. It means a lot to be able to sing and worship with fellow believers there. I've also joined the youth group as a leader. We've had some fun, encouraging, crazy, and edifying times together this summer.

I've been on several more hikes, with good company, viewing spectacular scenery. One of the hikes was on the Mohonk Preserve, up to the world-famous Mohonk Mountain House. It was impressive. We hiked all the way up to a tower which is the highest point in this area. It was fantastic to reach that famous landmark, but also cool because I can see the tower afar off from the house where I live. Most days I take the baby out for a walk and see the tower on top of the range of Shawangunk mountains. I especially love seeing it now, knowing what it's like at the top. 

I'm heading for bed now, have a full day of work tomorrow, then plan to go bowling with friends!